“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!  Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!  Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.”      Zechariah 9:9 NKJV

I’ve often wondered about the happenings on the day we call Palm Sunday.  Jesus was nearing the end of His earthly ministry.  The longer He had taught the people, the more divided they were becoming in what to make of Him.  (John 7:11-13, 40-43) Some wanted to set Him up as an earthly King. (John 6:15)  Other religious leaders wanted to kill Him. (John 7:1)  Some even wanted to put Lazarus to death because he was a visible representation of Jesus’ power over death. (John 12:9-11)

Then came Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  Jesus told His disciples to get a young colt from a certain place and they found the ass’s colt just as Jesus had said.  They then threw garments over the back of the colt and Jesus sat upon it as He rode into the city.  People cut palm branches and threw garments on the ground for the colt to walk over.  And they cried out, “Hosanna, blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (John 12:13)  This was the fulfillment of one prophecy about the Messiah.  Luke’s Gospel tells us it was a multitude that began to shout out and praise God for all the mighty things they had seen.  (Luke 19:37)

There were even some Pharisee’s in the crowd.  They told Jesus to quieten His disciples.  They did not want the people proclaiming Jesus as the one to fulfill the prophecies of the Christ.  Jesus knew that all that was happening had been foretold, therefore He would not stop the people from doing what they were doing.  Jesus answered the Pharisees saying that if He did quiet the multitude that was praising Him, then the rocks would begin to cry out.

But there were many that within a few short days would suddenly turn on Jesus and instead of shouting praise, they would be shouting, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”

I’ve often wondered why people turned away from Him.  Many just simply did not believe Him.  Many may have been upset because He was not setting up the earthly kingdom they were expecting from Him.  But it was also a fulfillment of prophecy from Isaiah, that people’s hearts would be hardened and their eyes blinded to the truth. (John 12:37-41)  Still others believed but were afraid to speak up. (John 12:42-43)

As I have thought about all these things, I cannot but help to think how much things that happened so long ago are still happening now.  Some people praise God with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him.  Some are expecting something from Him and when they don’t get it, they turn their back on Him.  Some are openly cursing Him.  Some will go to church on Easter out of habit or tradition but in their heart, Jesus is still dead to them.  Some are trying everything they can to silence God’s people who are trying to openly praise Him.

But nothing the multitude did, even calling out for Jesus’ crucifixion, stopped God’s perfect plan from being fulfilled.  In fact, what they did actually was part of the plan.  Yes, they succeeded in crucifying Him.  But they didn’t stop Him from being raised from the dead.  Where was the crowd then, having a grand procession for His resurrection?

I’m looking forward to another triumphal entry.  In fact, I’m looking forward to two.  The first one will be when Christ raptures His people up into the air and we are ushered into heaven.  And the second one, the most triumphant one of all, will be when Christ comes back, not on a small colt, but on a grand white horse.  Only then, He will be holding a sword of judgement.  No “hosannas” will be coming from the lips of those living on the earth.  But shouts of victory will be heard from all the heavenly hosts.  And Christ will finally be recognized by all people for who He is – The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!

I pray that this Easter will be celebrated, not out of tradition or habit, but that people will be just as excited about praising Christ now, as they were the day of His entry into Jerusalem.  Because this time, we won’t be praising Him for what we think He is going to do for us individually, but praise Him for everything He has already done!  And we can praise Him with full assurance that someday His kingdom shall be established for all eternity.

Along with our praises, may our shouts be filled with, “Even so, Lord Jesus, come!”

 

(I referenced a lot of scripture that I encourage you to look up and read. I pray that you have a very Blessed Easter as you wholly worship our Savior and King!)